$AXP
AMERICAN EXPRESS CO Stock $axp

$axp Overview Financials Valuation SEC Filings Company Website

2012 Q4 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000119312513070554 Filed on February 22, 2013

Income Statement

Concept	2012 Q4	2012 Q3	2012 Q2
Revenue	$8.685B	$1.739B	$1.671B
YoY Change	4.42%	-0.86%	0.66%
Cost Of Revenue	$2.054B	$1.697B	$1.648B
YoY Change	23.88%	-3.52%	-7.78%
Gross Profit	$6.631B	$6.723B	$6.867B
YoY Change	-0.42%	5.26%	7.16%
Gross Profit Margin	76.35%	386.6%	410.95%
Selling, General & Admin	$4.088B	$3.516B	$3.561B
YoY Change	10.79%	-1.54%	-1.58%
% of Gross Profit	61.65%	52.3%	51.86%
Research & Development
YoY Change
% of Gross Profit
Depreciation & Amortization	$240.0M	$244.0M	$253.0M
YoY Change	29.73%	7.02%	-8.99%
% of Gross Profit	3.62%	3.63%	3.68%
Operating Expenses	$5.158B	$4.295B	$4.444B
YoY Change	18.82%	4.6%	9.27%
Operating Profit	$1.473B	$2.428B	$2.423B
YoY Change	-36.45%	6.44%	3.5%
Interest Expense	-$544.0M	$558.0M	$550.0M
YoY Change	-4.56%	-2.96%	-4.68%
% of Operating Profit	-36.93%	22.98%	22.7%
Other Income/Expense, Net
YoY Change
Pretax Income	$929.0M	$1.870B	$1.879B
YoY Change	-46.85%	9.29%	6.46%
Income Tax	$292.0M	$620.0M	$540.0M
% Of Pretax Income	31.43%	33.16%	28.74%
Net Earnings	$637.0M	$1.250B	$1.339B
YoY Change	-46.56%	1.21%	0.6%
Net Earnings / Revenue	7.33%	71.88%	80.13%
Basic Earnings Per Share	$0.57	$1.10	$1.16
Diluted Earnings Per Share	$0.56	$1.09	$1.15
COMMON SHARES
Basic Shares Outstanding	1.119B shares	1.126B shares	1.145B shares
Diluted Shares Outstanding		1.132B shares	1.152B shares

Balance Sheet

Concept	2012 Q4	2012 Q3	2012 Q2
SHORT-TERM ASSETS
Cash & Short-Term Investments	$2.020B	$3.817B	$3.053B
YoY Change	-42.52%	96.55%	35.51%
Cash & Equivalents
Short-Term Investments
Other Short-Term Assets
YoY Change
Inventory
Prepaid Expenses
Receivables	$42.34B	$41.91B	$41.15B
Other Receivables	$3.576B	$3.272B	$2.771B
Total Short-Term Assets	$47.93B	$49.00B	$46.97B
YoY Change	0.65%	9.3%	2.93%
LONG-TERM ASSETS
Property, Plant & Equipment	$3.635B	$3.553B	$3.442B
YoY Change	7.96%	11.48%	12.41%
Goodwill	$3.181B
YoY Change	0.28%
Intangibles
YoY Change
Long-Term Investments	$25.84B	$27.39B	$25.35B
YoY Change	-9.4%	-15.14%	-16.24%
Other Assets	$76.00M	$1.297B	$1.196B
YoY Change	-63.29%	954.47%	293.42%
Total Long-Term Assets	$105.2B	$103.9B	$101.2B
YoY Change	-0.48%	0.01%	-0.98%
TOTAL ASSETS
Total Short-Term Assets	$47.93B	$49.00B	$46.97B
Total Long-Term Assets	$105.2B	$103.9B	$101.2B
Total Assets	$153.1B	$152.9B	$148.1B
YoY Change	-0.13%	2.81%	0.22%
SHORT-TERM LIABILITIES
YoY Change
Accounts Payable	$10.01B	$13.09B	$11.77B
YoY Change	-4.32%	23.69%	7.66%
Accrued Expenses
YoY Change
Deferred Revenue
YoY Change
Short-Term Debt	$3.314B	$4.027B	$3.553B
YoY Change	-23.59%	10.36%	-4.02%
Long-Term Debt Due
YoY Change
Total Short-Term Liabilities	$53.12B	$54.32B	$51.28B
YoY Change	0.82%	14.65%	9.29%
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Long-Term Debt	$58.97B	$56.27B	$55.95B
YoY Change	-1.0%	-8.9%	-8.86%
Other Long-Term Liabilities	$22.16B	$22.81B	$21.63B
YoY Change	-0.55%	6.34%	1.66%
Total Long-Term Liabilities	$81.13B	$79.08B	$77.58B
YoY Change	-0.88%	-4.97%	-6.15%
TOTAL LIABILITIES
Total Short-Term Liabilities	$53.12B	$54.32B	$51.28B
Total Long-Term Liabilities	$81.13B	$79.08B	$77.58B
Total Liabilities	$134.3B	$133.4B	$128.9B
YoY Change	-0.21%	2.15%	-0.56%
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
Retained Earnings	$7.525B	$7.923B	$7.717B
YoY Change	4.21%	21.52%	19.89%
Common Stock	$221.0M	$224.0M	$228.0M
YoY Change	-4.74%	-3.86%	-4.2%
Preferred Stock
YoY Change
Treasury Stock (at cost)
YoY Change
Treasury Stock Shares
Shareholders Equity	$18.89B	$19.48B	$19.27B
YoY Change
Total Liabilities & Shareholders Equity	$153.1B	$152.9B	$148.1B
YoY Change	-0.13%	2.81%	0.22%

Cashflow Statement

Concept	2012 Q4	2012 Q3	2012 Q2
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income	$637.0M	$1.250B	$1.339B
YoY Change	-46.56%	1.21%	0.6%
Depreciation, Depletion And Amortization	$240.0M	$244.0M	$253.0M
YoY Change	29.73%	7.02%	-8.99%
Cash From Operating Activities	-$3.532B	$3.872B	$3.310B
YoY Change	-204.07%	61.47%	-3.75%
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital Expenditures	-$288.0M	-$269.0M	-$230.0M
YoY Change	-5.26%	-17.74%	-24.09%
Acquisitions
YoY Change
Other Investing Activities	-$3.271B	-$946.0M	-$3.489B
YoY Change	-36.28%	304.27%	22.29%
Cash From Investing Activities	-$3.559B	-$1.215B	-$3.719B
YoY Change	-34.54%	116.58%	17.84%
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Cash Dividend Paid
YoY Change
Common Stock Issuance & Retirement, Net
YoY Change
Debt Paid & Issued, Net
YoY Change
Cash From Financing Activities	4.215B	303.0M	-4.470B
YoY Change	108.56%	87.04%	-691.27%
NET CHANGE
Cash From Operating Activities	-3.532B	3.872B	3.310B
Cash From Investing Activities	-3.559B	-1.215B	-3.719B
Cash From Financing Activities	4.215B	303.0M	-4.470B
Net Change In Cash	-2.876B	2.960B	-4.879B
YoY Change	12972.73%	48.07%	-569.59%
FREE CASH FLOW
Cash From Operating Activities	-$3.532B	$3.872B	$3.310B
Capital Expenditures	-$288.0M	-$269.0M	-$230.0M
Free Cash Flow	-$3.244B	$4.141B	$3.540B
YoY Change	-187.72%	51.96%	-5.4%

Facts In Submission

Frame	Concept Type	Concept / XBRL Key	Value	Unit
CY2010	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	3.37
CY2012	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense After Provisions For Losses TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpenseAfterProvisionsForLosses	29592000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	4057000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Depreciation Amortization And Accretion Net DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet	918000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Interest Income Deposits With Financial Institutions InterestIncomeDepositsWithFinancialInstitutions	97000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	4167000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Outstanding CommonStockSharesOutstanding	1105000000	shares
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Issued CommonStockSharesIssued	1105000000	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable And Other Operating Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndOtherOperatingLiabilities	2186000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment	1053000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock	594000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents	135000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	4482000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Amount Of Dilutive Securities Stock Options And Restrictive Stock Units AmountOfDilutiveSecuritiesStockOptionsAndRestrictiveStockUnits	51000000	USD
CY2012	axp	Discount Revenue DiscountRevenue	17739000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Discount Revenue DiscountRevenue	16734000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Fees And Commissions Other FeesAndCommissionsOther	2031000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Noninterest Income Other Operating Income NoninterestIncomeOtherOperatingIncome	2164000000	USD
CY2012	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	31582000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Marketing Promotion Rewards And Cardmember Services MarketingPromotionRewardsAndCardmemberServices	8738000000	USD
CY2012	axp	Marketing Promotion Rewards And Cardmember Services MarketingPromotionRewardsAndCardmemberServices	9971000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Marketing Promotion Rewards And Cardmember Services MarketingPromotionRewardsAndCardmemberServices	9930000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Labor And Related Expense LaborAndRelatedExpense	6252000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Labor And Related Expense LaborAndRelatedExpense	6597000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Labor And Related Expense LaborAndRelatedExpense	5566000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Noninterest Expense OtherNoninterestExpense	5107000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Other Noninterest Expense OtherNoninterestExpense	6573000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Noninterest Expense OtherNoninterestExpense	5712000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Noninterest Expense NoninterestExpense	21894000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Noninterest Expense NoninterestExpense	23141000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Noninterest Expense NoninterestExpense	19411000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	5964000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	6451000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	6956000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	2057000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1969000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1907000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	4482000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	4899000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	36000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	0	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	0	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	4057000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	4935000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	3.91
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	4.11
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	3.37
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0.03
CY2011	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	4.14
CY2012	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	3.91
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	3.35
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	3.89
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve RestructuringReserve	285000000	USD
CY2012	dei	Document Fiscal Year Focus DocumentFiscalYearFocus	2012
CY2012	dei	Document Type DocumentType	10-K
CY2012	dei	Entity Voluntary Filers EntityVoluntaryFilers	No
CY2012	dei	Entity Current Reporting Status EntityCurrentReportingStatus	Yes
CY2012	dei	Entity Filer Category EntityFilerCategory	Large Accelerated Filer
CY2012	dei	Entity Central Index Key EntityCentralIndexKey	0000004962
CY2012	dei	Document Period End Date DocumentPeriodEndDate	2012-12-31
CY2012	dei	Amendment Flag AmendmentFlag	true
CY2012	dei	Document Fiscal Period Focus DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus	FY
CY2012	dei	Current Fiscal Year End Date CurrentFiscalYearEndDate	--12-31
CY2012	dei	Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer	Yes
CY2012Q2	dei	Entity Public Float EntityPublicFloat	66100000000	USD
CY2013Q1	dei	Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding	1104651022	shares
CY2012	dei	Amendment Description AmendmentDescription	No
CY2012	us-gaap	Amount Of Dilutive Securities Stock Options And Restrictive Stock Units AmountOfDilutiveSecuritiesStockOptionsAndRestrictiveStockUnits	49000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Amount Of Dilutive Securities Stock Options And Restrictive Stock Units AmountOfDilutiveSecuritiesStockOptionsAndRestrictiveStockUnits	58000000	USD
CY2012	dei	Entity Registrant Name EntityRegistrantName	AMERICAN EXPRESS CO
CY2010	us-gaap	Interest Income Deposits With Financial Institutions InterestIncomeDepositsWithFinancialInstitutions	66000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Interest And Dividend Income Operating InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating	7073000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentTax	-459000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Repayments Of Long Term Debt RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	21029000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Restricted Cash IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCash	-3574000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Interest And Fee Income Loans And Leases InterestAndFeeIncomeLoansAndLeases	6564000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Interest And Dividend Income Securities InterestAndDividendIncomeSecurities	443000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Provision For Other Losses ProvisionForOtherLosses	99000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Provision For Loan Lease And Other Losses ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses	1990000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Provision For Loan Lease And Other Losses ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses	1112000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Discount Revenue DiscountRevenue	14880000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Travel Commissions And Fees TravelCommissionsAndFees	1971000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Travel Commissions And Fees TravelCommissionsAndFees	1773000000	USD
CY2012	axp	Travel Commissions And Fees TravelCommissionsAndFees	1940000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Fees And Commissions Other FeesAndCommissionsOther	2317000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Fees And Commissions Other FeesAndCommissionsOther	2269000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Interest Expense Deposits InterestExpenseDeposits	528000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Noninterest Income Other Operating Income NoninterestIncomeOtherOperatingIncome	2452000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Noninterest Income Other Operating Income NoninterestIncomeOtherOperatingIncome	1927000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Interest Expense Deposits InterestExpenseDeposits	546000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Noninterest Income NoninterestIncome	26954000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Noninterest Income NoninterestIncome	25586000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Noninterest Income NoninterestIncome	22932000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Interest And Fee Income Loans And Leases InterestAndFeeIncomeLoansAndLeases	6511000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Interest And Fee Income Loans And Leases InterestAndFeeIncomeLoansAndLeases	6272000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Interest And Dividend Income Securities InterestAndDividendIncomeSecurities	246000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Interest And Dividend Income Securities InterestAndDividendIncomeSecurities	327000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Interest Income Deposits With Financial Institutions InterestIncomeDepositsWithFinancialInstitutions	97000000	USD
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CY2012	us-gaap	Interest Expense Deposits InterestExpenseDeposits	480000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	2423000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	2226000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	2320000000	USD
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CY2012	us-gaap	Interest Income Expense Net InterestIncomeExpenseNet	4628000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Interest Income Expense Net InterestIncomeExpenseNet	4650000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	29962000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	27582000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Provision For Doubtful Accounts ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts	595000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Provision For Doubtful Accounts ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts	742000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Provision For Doubtful Accounts ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts	770000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Provision For Loan And Lease Losses ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses	253000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Provision For Loan And Lease Losses ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses	1149000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Provision For Loan And Lease Losses ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses	1527000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Provision For Other Losses ProvisionForOtherLosses	85000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Provision For Other Losses ProvisionForOtherLosses	89000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Provision For Loan Lease And Other Losses ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses	2207000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense After Provisions For Losses TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpenseAfterProvisionsForLosses	25375000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense After Provisions For Losses TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpenseAfterProvisionsForLosses	28850000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent	1000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent	-72000000	USD
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CY2012	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-51000000	USD
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CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent	17000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	4976000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Availableforsale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableforsaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent	-135000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent	21000000	USD
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CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	110000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Interest Bearing Deposits In Banks InterestBearingDepositsInBanks	20572000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Interest Bearing Deposits In Banks InterestBearingDepositsInBanks	19892000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	338000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	807000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents And Federal Funds Sold CashCashEquivalentsAndFederalFundsSold	24893000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents And Federal Funds Sold CashCashEquivalentsAndFederalFundsSold	22250000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Accounts Receivable Net AccountsReceivableNet	42338000000	USD
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CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Other Receivables OtherReceivables	3576000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Net Reported Amount LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount	63758000000	USD
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CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Net Reported Amount Other LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmountOther	419000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Net Reported Amount Other LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmountOther	551000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities AvailableForSaleSecurities	5614000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities AvailableForSaleSecurities	7147000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Net PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	3367000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Net PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	3635000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Other Assets OtherAssets	11418000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Other Assets OtherAssets	12655000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Assets Assets	153337000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Assets Assets	153140000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deposits Deposits	39803000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deposits Deposits	37898000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Travelers Cheques Outstanding TravelersChequesOutstanding	4601000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities OtherLiabilities	17157000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities OtherLiabilities	17557000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Liabilities	134254000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Liabilities	134543000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Value CommonStockValue	232000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Value CommonStockValue	221000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Additional Paid In Capital AdditionalPaidInCapital	12067000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Additional Paid In Capital AdditionalPaidInCapital	12217000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit	7221000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit	7525000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax	315000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax	288000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	4.09
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0.03
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2010	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	3.35
CY2012	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	3.89
CY2011	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	4.12
CY2011	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	1178000000	shares
CY2012	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	1135000000	shares
CY2010	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	1188000000	shares
CY2010	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	1195000000	shares
CY2012	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	1141000000	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	1184000000	shares
CY2012	us-gaap	Fees And Commissions Credit Cards FeesAndCommissionsCreditCards	2506000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Fees And Commissions Credit Cards FeesAndCommissionsCreditCards	2448000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Fees And Commissions Credit Cards FeesAndCommissionsCreditCards	2321000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Interest Expense Long Term Debt InterestExpenseLongTermDebt	1877000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Interest Expense Long Term Debt InterestExpenseLongTermDebt	1792000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Interest Expense Long Term Debt InterestExpenseLongTermDebt	1746000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Availableforsale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableforsaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent	27000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Availableforsale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableforsaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent	231000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	41000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Travelers Cheques Outstanding TravelersChequesOutstanding	5123000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Accounts Payable Current And Noncurrent AccountsPayableCurrentAndNoncurrent	10006000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Accounts Payable Current And Noncurrent AccountsPayableCurrentAndNoncurrent	10458000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Short Term Borrowings ShortTermBorrowings	4337000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Short Term Borrowings ShortTermBorrowings	3314000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cumulative Changes In Net Gain Loss From Cash Flow Hedges Effect Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax	-1000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cumulative Changes In Net Gain Loss From Cash Flow Hedges Effect Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax	0	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax	-754000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax	-682000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Pension And Other Postretirement Plans Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansNetOfTax	481000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Pension And Other Postretirement Plans Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansNetOfTax	488000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-927000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-876000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	18794000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	18886000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities And Stockholders Equity LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity	153140000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities And Stockholders Equity LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity	153337000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Cash And Due From Banks CashAndDueFromBanks	2020000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Cash And Due From Banks CashAndDueFromBanks	3514000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Securities Purchased Under Agreements To Resell SecuritiesPurchasedUnderAgreementsToResell	470000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable	438000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Other Receivables Reserves OtherReceivablesReserves	102000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Allowance LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance	1874000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Other Allowance LoansAndLeasesReceivableOtherAllowance	18000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment	4747000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare	0.20
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Authorized CommonStockSharesAuthorized	3600000000	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Issued CommonStockSharesIssued	1164000000	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Outstanding CommonStockSharesOutstanding	1164000000	shares
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Authorized CommonStockSharesAuthorized	3600000000	shares
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Allowance LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance	1471000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Other Receivables Reserves OtherReceivablesReserves	86000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Businesses And Interest In Affiliates PaymentsForProceedsFromBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates	400000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment	1189000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Deposits IncreaseDecreaseInDeposits	8232000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Proceeds From Maturities Prepayments And Calls Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromMaturitiesPrepaymentsAndCallsOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	6074000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Proceeds From Maturities Prepayments And Calls Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromMaturitiesPrepaymentsAndCallsOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	1562000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Investments PaymentsToAcquireInvestments	473000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Loans And Leases PaymentsForProceedsFromLoansAndLeases	6389000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Loans And Leases PaymentsForProceedsFromLoansAndLeases	6671000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Businesses And Interest In Affiliates PaymentsForProceedsFromBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates	466000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Restricted Cash IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCash	-31000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Deposits IncreaseDecreaseInDeposits	3406000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable	428000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare	0.20
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment	5429000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Other Allowance LoansAndLeasesReceivableOtherAllowance	20000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Securities Purchased Under Agreements To Resell SecuritiesPurchasedUnderAgreementsToResell	58000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTax	175000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentTax	-611000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Plans Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPlansTax	-233000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesTax	0	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTax	168000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesTax	-1000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Plans Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPlansTax	-233000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt LongTermDebt	58973000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt LongTermDebt	59570000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Depreciation Amortization And Accretion Net DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet	917000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Depreciation Amortization And Accretion Net DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet	991000000	USD
CY2012	axp	Deferred Taxes And Other DeferredTaxesAndOther	218000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Deferred Taxes And Other DeferredTaxesAndOther	818000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation ShareBasedCompensation	287000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation ShareBasedCompensation	301000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation ShareBasedCompensation	297000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Receivables IncreaseDecreaseInOtherReceivables	-153000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Assets IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets	590000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Assets IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets	-390000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable And Other Operating Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndOtherOperatingLiabilities	-358000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	525000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	1176000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	2196000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Maturities Prepayments And Calls Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromMaturitiesPrepaymentsAndCallsOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	12066000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Deposits IncreaseDecreaseInDeposits	2300000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Proceeds From Repayments Of Short Term Debt ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebt	-1015000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Proceeds From Repayments Of Short Term Debt ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebt	705000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Repayments Of Long Term Debt RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	14076000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock	443000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock	663000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock	590000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock	3952000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends PaymentsOfDividends	902000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents	-63000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents	88000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-2643000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease	8537000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-243000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Deferred Taxes And Other DeferredTaxesAndOther	1135000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Receivables IncreaseDecreaseInOtherReceivables	-663000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Receivables IncreaseDecreaseInOtherReceivables	498000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Assets IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets	635000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	16230000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable And Other Operating Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndOtherOperatingLiabilities	1531000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Investments PaymentsToAcquireInvestments	7804000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Investments PaymentsToAcquireInvestments	1158000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Loans And Leases PaymentsForProceedsFromLoansAndLeases	8358000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment	878000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Businesses And Interest In Affiliates PaymentsForProceedsFromBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates	610000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Restricted Cash IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCash	20000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Repayments Of Short Term Debt ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebt	1262000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Repayments Of Long Term Debt RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	17670000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock	2300000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends PaymentsOfDividends	861000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends PaymentsOfDividends	867000000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents And Federal Funds Sold CashCashEquivalentsAndFederalFundsSold	16599000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment	3000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment	16000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment	9000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents And Federal Funds Sold CashCashEquivalentsAndFederalFundsSold	16356000000	USD
CY2012	axp	Increase Decrease In Travelers Cheques Outstanding IncreaseDecreaseInTravelersChequesOutstanding	-540000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Increase Decrease In Travelers Cheques Outstanding IncreaseDecreaseInTravelersChequesOutstanding	-494000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Increase Decrease In Travelers Cheques Outstanding IncreaseDecreaseInTravelersChequesOutstanding	-317000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Continuing Operations NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations	7082000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Continuing Operations NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations	9768000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Continuing Operations NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations	8729000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Continuing Operations NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperations	-1229000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Continuing Operations NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperations	-491000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Continuing Operations NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperations	-6545000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Continuing Operations NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperations	-3268000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Continuing Operations NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperations	-677000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Continuing Operations NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperations	-7878000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Increase Decrease In Debt Exchange IncreaseDecreaseInDebtExchange	0	USD
CY2011	axp	Increase Decrease In Debt Exchange IncreaseDecreaseInDebtExchange	0	USD
CY2012	axp	Increase Decrease In Debt Exchange IncreaseDecreaseInDebtExchange	541000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Long Term Debt ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt	13934000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Long Term Debt ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt	13982000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Long Term Debt ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt	5918000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.72
CY2011	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.72
CY2012	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.80
CY2010	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Value Acquired Cost Method TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod	-590000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Dividends Common Stock DividendsCommonStock	867000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Value Acquired Cost Method TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod	-2300000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Dividends Common Stock DividendsCommonStock	856000000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	12637000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Other Changes During Period Primarily Employee Plans And Other OtherChangesDuringPeriodPrimarilyEmployeePlansAndOther	883000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Other Changes During Period Primarily Employee Plans And Other OtherChangesDuringPeriodPrimarilyEmployeePlansAndOther	744000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Value Acquired Cost Method TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod	-4000000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Other Changes During Period Primarily Employee Plans And Other OtherChangesDuringPeriodPrimarilyEmployeePlansAndOther	570000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Dividends Common Stock DividendsCommonStock	909000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Before Tax ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax	120000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Before Tax ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax	145000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Before Tax ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax	138000000	USD
CY2012	axp	Original Maturities Of Cash And Cash Equivalents OriginalMaturitiesOfCashAndCashEquivalents	90 days or less
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Financial Instruments Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure	329000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Financial Instruments Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure	108000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasis	329000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasis	108000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Equity Securities AvailableForSaleSecuritiesEquitySecurities	296000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Available For Sale Securities Debt Securities And Other AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesAndOther	5318000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Derivative Financial Instruments Asset FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAsset	942000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Assets Fair Value Disclosure Recurring AssetsFairValueDisclosureRecurring	6556000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Equity Securities AvailableForSaleSecuritiesEquitySecurities	360000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Available For Sale Securities Debt Securities And Other AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesAndOther	6787000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Derivative Financial Instruments Asset FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAsset	1516000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Assets Fair Value Disclosure Recurring AssetsFairValueDisclosureRecurring	8663000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposits TimeDeposits	12000000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Loans And Receivables Impaired Troubled Debt Restructuring Amount Non Accrual Status LoansAndReceivablesImpairedTroubledDebtRestructuringAmountNonAccrualStatus	320000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Loans And Receivables Impaired Troubled Debt Restructuring Amount Non Accrual Status LoansAndReceivablesImpairedTroubledDebtRestructuringAmountNonAccrualStatus	410000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Loans And Receivables Impaired Troubled Debt Restructuring Amount Over Ninety Days Accrual Of Interest LoansAndReceivablesImpairedTroubledDebtRestructuringAmountOverNinetyDaysAccrualOfInterest	4000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Loans And Receivables Impaired Troubled Debt Restructuring Amount Over Ninety Days Accrual Of Interest LoansAndReceivablesImpairedTroubledDebtRestructuringAmountOverNinetyDaysAccrualOfInterest	6000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Notes Receivable Gross NotesReceivableGross	42766000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Notes Receivable Gross NotesReceivableGross	40890000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Consumer Revolving Credit Card LoansAndLeasesReceivableConsumerRevolvingCreditCard	65229000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Consumer Revolving Credit Card LoansAndLeasesReceivableConsumerRevolvingCreditCard	62621000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Recorded Investment90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestment90DaysPastDueAndStillAccruing	131000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Impaired Nonperforming Nonaccrual Of Interest LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedNonperformingNonaccrualOfInterest	535000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Modifications Recorded Investment FinancingReceivableModificationsRecordedInvestment	918000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Recorded Investment ImpairedFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestment	1584000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Loans And Leases Receivable Impaired Unpaid Principal Balance LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedUnpaidPrincipalBalance	1513000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Related Allowance ImpairedFinancingReceivableRelatedAllowance	294000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Related Allowance ImpairedFinancingReceivableRelatedAllowance	244000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Recorded Investment90 Days Past Due And Still Accruing FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestment90DaysPastDueAndStillAccruing	132000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Impaired Nonperforming Nonaccrual Of Interest LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedNonperformingNonaccrualOfInterest	431000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Modifications Recorded Investment FinancingReceivableModificationsRecordedInvestment	750000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Recorded Investment ImpairedFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestment	1313000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Loans And Leases Receivable Impaired Unpaid Principal Balance LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedUnpaidPrincipalBalance	1253000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Interest Income Accrual Method ImpairedFinancingReceivableInterestIncomeAccrualMethod	76000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Average Recorded Investment ImpairedFinancingReceivableAverageRecordedInvestment	1431000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Interest Income Accrual Method ImpairedFinancingReceivableInterestIncomeAccrualMethod	93000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Average Recorded Investment ImpairedFinancingReceivableAverageRecordedInvestment	1741000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Financing Receivables Modifications Number Of Accounts FinancingReceivablesModificationsNumberOfAccounts	197000	Account
CY2011	axp	Financing Receivables Modifications Post Modification Recorded Investment FinancingReceivablesModificationsPostModificationRecordedInvestment	1452000000	USD
CY2012	axp	Financing Receivables Modifications Number Of Accounts FinancingReceivablesModificationsNumberOfAccounts	143000	Account
CY2012	axp	Financing Receivables Modifications Post Modification Recorded Investment FinancingReceivablesModificationsPostModificationRecordedInvestment	1180000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Modifications Pre Modification Recorded Investment1 FinancingReceivableModificationsPreModificationRecordedInvestment1	1204000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Financing Receivable Modifications Pre Modification Recorded Investment1 FinancingReceivableModificationsPreModificationRecordedInvestment1	1512000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Financing Receivables Modifications Number Of Accounts Defaulted In Tdr Programs FinancingReceivablesModificationsNumberOfAccountsDefaultedInTdrPrograms	52000	Account
CY2011	axp	Financing Receivables Defaulted In Tdr Programs Recorded Investment FinancingReceivablesDefaultedInTdrProgramsRecordedInvestment	388000000	USD
CY2012	axp	Financing Receivables Modifications Number Of Accounts Defaulted In Tdr Programs FinancingReceivablesModificationsNumberOfAccountsDefaultedInTdrPrograms	24000	Account
CY2012	axp	Financing Receivables Defaulted In Tdr Programs Recorded Investment FinancingReceivablesDefaultedInTdrProgramsRecordedInvestment	219000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Valuation Allowances And Reserves Recoveries ValuationAllowancesAndReservesRecoveries	383000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Valuation Allowances And Reserves Recoveries ValuationAllowancesAndReservesRecoveries	349000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Valuation Allowances And Reserves Recoveries ValuationAllowancesAndReservesRecoveries	357000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Allowance For Loan And Lease Losses Recoveries Of Bad Debts AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesRecoveriesOfBadDebts	568000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Allowance For Loan And Lease Losses Recoveries Of Bad Debts AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesRecoveriesOfBadDebts	578000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Allowance For Loan And Lease Losses Recoveries Of Bad Debts AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesRecoveriesOfBadDebts	493000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Reserve For Losses Securitized Loans ReserveForLossesSecuritizedLoans	2531000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Reserves On Cardmember Receivables Evaluated Separately For Impairment ReservesOnCardmemberReceivablesEvaluatedSeparatelyForImpairment	118000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable	386000000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable	546000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Provisions For Losses Charge Card Reserves Additions Principal And Fees ProvisionsForLossesChargeCardReservesAdditionsPrincipalAndFees	439000000	USD
CY2012	axp	Provisions For Losses Charge Card Reserves Additions Principal And Fees ProvisionsForLossesChargeCardReservesAdditionsPrincipalAndFees	601000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Provisions For Losses Charge Card Reserves Additions Principal And Fees ProvisionsForLossesChargeCardReservesAdditionsPrincipalAndFees	603000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Provisions For Losses Charge Card Additions Other ProvisionsForLossesChargeCardAdditionsOther	167000000	USD
CY2012	axp	Provisions For Losses Charge Card Additions Other ProvisionsForLossesChargeCardAdditionsOther	141000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Provisions For Losses Charge Card Additions Other ProvisionsForLossesChargeCardAdditionsOther	156000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Provisions For Losses Deductions Charge Card Net Write Offs Principal And Fees ProvisionsForLossesDeductionsChargeCardNetWriteOffsPrincipalAndFees	-640000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Provisions For Losses Deductions Charge Card Net Write Offs Principal And Fees ProvisionsForLossesDeductionsChargeCardNetWriteOffsPrincipalAndFees	-560000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Provisions For Losses Deductions Charge Card Net Write Offs Principal And Fees ProvisionsForLossesDeductionsChargeCardNetWriteOffsPrincipalAndFees	-598000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Provisions For Losses Deductions Charge Card Net Write Offs Other ProvisionsForLossesDeductionsChargeCardNetWriteOffsOther	-157000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Provisions For Losses Deductions Charge Card Net Write Offs Other ProvisionsForLossesDeductionsChargeCardNetWriteOffsOther	-158000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Provisions For Losses Deductions Charge Card Net Write Offs Other ProvisionsForLossesDeductionsChargeCardNetWriteOffsOther	-112000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Cardmember Receivables Evaluated Separately For Impairment CardmemberReceivablesEvaluatedSeparatelyForImpairment	174000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Cardmember Receivables Evaluated Separately For Impairment CardmemberReceivablesEvaluatedSeparatelyForImpairment	114000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Cardmember Receivables Evaluated Separately For Impairment CardmemberReceivablesEvaluatedSeparatelyForImpairment	117000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Reserves On Cardmember Receivables Evaluated Separately For Impairment ReservesOnCardmemberReceivablesEvaluatedSeparatelyForImpairment	91000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Reserves On Cardmember Receivables Evaluated Separately For Impairment ReservesOnCardmemberReceivablesEvaluatedSeparatelyForImpairment	63000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Cardmember Receivables Evaluated Collectively For Impairment CardmemberReceivablesEvaluatedCollectivelyForImpairment	37152000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Cardmember Receivables Evaluated Collectively For Impairment CardmemberReceivablesEvaluatedCollectivelyForImpairment	42649000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Cardmember Receivables Evaluated Collectively For Impairment CardmemberReceivablesEvaluatedCollectivelyForImpairment	40716000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Reserves On Cardmember Receivables Evaluated Collectively For Impairment ReservesOnCardmemberReceivablesEvaluatedCollectivelyForImpairment	320000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Reserves On Cardmember Receivables Evaluated Collectively For Impairment ReservesOnCardmemberReceivablesEvaluatedCollectivelyForImpairment	337000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Reserves On Cardmember Receivables Evaluated Collectively For Impairment ReservesOnCardmemberReceivablesEvaluatedCollectivelyForImpairment	323000000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Allowance LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance	5799000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Provisions For Losses For Loan And Lease Losses Additions Principal Interest And Fees ProvisionsForLossesForLoanAndLeaseLossesAdditionsPrincipalInterestAndFees	145000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After Ten Years Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterTenYearsAmortizedCost	4253000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAmortizedCost	5030000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Within One Year Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearFairValue	319000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After One Through Five Years Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsFairValue	264000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After Five Through Ten Years Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterFiveThroughTenYearsFairValue	220000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Provisions For Losses For Loan And Lease Losses Additions Principal Interest And Fees ProvisionsForLossesForLoanAndLeaseLossesAdditionsPrincipalInterestAndFees	1445000000	USD
CY2012	axp	Provisions For Losses For Loan And Lease Losses Additions Principal Interest And Fees ProvisionsForLossesForLoanAndLeaseLossesAdditionsPrincipalInterestAndFees	1031000000	USD
CY2012	axp	Provisions For Losses For Loan And Lease Losses Additions Other ProvisionsForLossesForLoanAndLeaseLossesAdditionsOther	118000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Provisions For Losses For Loan And Lease Losses Additions Other ProvisionsForLossesForLoanAndLeaseLossesAdditionsOther	108000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Provisions For Losses For Loan And Lease Losses Additions Other ProvisionsForLossesForLoanAndLeaseLossesAdditionsOther	82000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Provisions For Loans And Lease Losses Deductions Net Write Offs Principal ProvisionsForLoansAndLeaseLossesDeductionsNetWriteOffsPrincipal	-3260000000	USD
CY2012	axp	Provisions For Loans And Lease Losses Deductions Net Write Offs Principal ProvisionsForLoansAndLeaseLossesDeductionsNetWriteOffsPrincipal	-1280000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Provisions For Loans And Lease Losses Deductions Net Write Offs Principal ProvisionsForLoansAndLeaseLossesDeductionsNetWriteOffsPrincipal	-1720000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Provisions For Loans And Lease Losses Deductions Net Write Offs Interest And Fees ProvisionsForLoansAndLeaseLossesDeductionsNetWriteOffsInterestAndFees	-201000000	USD
CY2012	axp	Provisions For Loans And Lease Losses Deductions Net Write Offs Interest And Fees ProvisionsForLoansAndLeaseLossesDeductionsNetWriteOffsInterestAndFees	-157000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Provisions For Loans And Lease Losses Deductions Net Write Offs Interest And Fees ProvisionsForLoansAndLeaseLossesDeductionsNetWriteOffsInterestAndFees	-359000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Provisions For Loans And Lease Losses Deductions Net Write Offs Other ProvisionsForLoansAndLeaseLossesDeductionsNetWriteOffsOther	-61000000	USD
CY2012	axp	Provisions For Loans And Lease Losses Deductions Net Write Offs Other ProvisionsForLoansAndLeaseLossesDeductionsNetWriteOffsOther	-115000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Provisions For Loans And Lease Losses Deductions Net Write Offs Other ProvisionsForLoansAndLeaseLossesDeductionsNetWriteOffsOther	-104000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Allowance LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance	3646000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Cardmember Loans Evaluated Separately For Impairment CardmemberLoansEvaluatedSeparatelyForImpairment	1087000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Reserves On Cardmember Loans Evaluated Separately For Impairment ReservesOnCardmemberLoansEvaluatedSeparatelyForImpairment	279000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Cardmember Loans Evaluated Collectively For Impairment CardmemberLoansEvaluatedCollectivelyForImpairment	59763000000	USD
CY2010Q4	axp	Reserves On Cardmember Loans Evaluated Collectively For Impairment ReservesOnCardmemberLoansEvaluatedCollectivelyForImpairment	3367000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Reserves On Cardmember Loans Evaluated Collectively For Impairment ReservesOnCardmemberLoansEvaluatedCollectivelyForImpairment	1318000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Reserves On Cardmember Loans Evaluated Separately For Impairment ReservesOnCardmemberLoansEvaluatedSeparatelyForImpairment	153000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Cardmember Loans Evaluated Separately For Impairment CardmemberLoansEvaluatedSeparatelyForImpairment	633000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Cardmember Loans Evaluated Collectively For Impairment CardmemberLoansEvaluatedCollectivelyForImpairment	64596000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Reserves On Cardmember Loans Evaluated Separately For Impairment ReservesOnCardmemberLoansEvaluatedSeparatelyForImpairment	176000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Cardmember Loans Evaluated Collectively For Impairment CardmemberLoansEvaluatedCollectivelyForImpairment	61877000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Reserves On Cardmember Loans Evaluated Collectively For Impairment ReservesOnCardmemberLoansEvaluatedCollectivelyForImpairment	1698000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Cardmember Loans Evaluated Separately For Impairment CardmemberLoansEvaluatedSeparatelyForImpairment	744000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Available For Sale Securities Corporate Debt Obligations Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program AvailableForSaleSecuritiesCorporateDebtObligationsTemporaryLiquidityGuaranteeProgram	0	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Available For Sale Securities Corporate Debt Obligations Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program AvailableForSaleSecuritiesCorporateDebtObligationsTemporaryLiquidityGuaranteeProgram	600000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Marketable Securities Realized Gain Loss Other Than Temporary Impairments Amount MarketableSecuritiesRealizedGainLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsAmount	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Marketable Securities Realized Gain Loss Other Than Temporary Impairments Amount MarketableSecuritiesRealizedGainLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsAmount	0	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposits100000 Or More Foreign TimeDeposits100000OrMoreForeign	304000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposits100000 Or More TimeDeposits100000OrMore	884000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Interest Paid InterestPaid	2200000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Interest Paid InterestPaid	2400000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost	5145000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Availableforsale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain	474000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses1 AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLosses1	5000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost	6806000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Availableforsale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain	416000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses1 AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLosses1	75000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Twelve Months Or Longer Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue	73000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than Twelve Months Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue	100000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than Twelve Months Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue	15000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Twelve Months Or Longer Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue	1096000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Available For Sale Securities In Unrealized Loss Positions Number Of Positions Less Than Twelve Months AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsNumberOfPositionsLessThanTwelveMonths	46	securities
CY2011Q4	axp	Available For Sale Securities In Unrealized Loss Positions Number Of Positions Less Than Twelve Months AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsNumberOfPositionsLessThanTwelveMonths	1	securities
CY2011Q4	axp	Available For Sale Securities In Unrealized Loss Positions Number Of Positions Twelve Months Or Longer AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsNumberOfPositionsTwelveMonthsOrLonger	136	securities
CY2012Q4	axp	Available For Sale Securities In Unrealized Loss Positions Number Of Positions Twelve Months Or Longer AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsNumberOfPositionsTwelveMonthsOrLonger	4	securities
CY2012Q4	axp	Available For Sale Securities In Unrealized Loss Positions Number Of Positions AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsNumberOfPositions	50	securities
CY2011Q4	axp	Available For Sale Securities In Unrealized Loss Positions Number Of Positions AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsNumberOfPositions	137	securities
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue	173000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue	1111000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Availableforsale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than12 Months Aggregate Losses2 AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses2	-2000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Availableforsale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than12 Months Aggregate Losses2 AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses2	-1000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Availableforsale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position12 Months Or Longer Aggregate Losses2 AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses2	-73000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Availableforsale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position12 Months Or Longer Aggregate Losses2 AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses2	-4000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Availableforsale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Aggregate Losses2 AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses2	-5000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Availableforsale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Aggregate Losses2 AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses2	-75000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gains AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains	127000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gains AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains	16000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gains AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains	1000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses	6000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses	0	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses	1000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gain Loss Net AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossNet	126000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gain Loss Net AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossNet	16000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gain Loss Net AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossNet	-5000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Within One Year Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearAmortizedCost	318000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After One Through Five Years Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsAmortizedCost	255000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After Five Through Ten Years Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterFiveThroughTenYearsAmortizedCost	204000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Deferred Charge Card Fees Net DeferredChargeCardFeesNet	1286000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After Ten Years Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterTenYearsFairValue	4464000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Securities AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities	5267000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Affordable Housing Partnership Interests AffordableHousingPartnershipInterests	427000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Affordable Housing Partnership Interests AffordableHousingPartnershipInterests	332000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Amortization Of Intangible Assets AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets	198000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Amortization Of Intangible Assets AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets	189000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Amortization Of Intangible Assets AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets	176000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Goodwill Impairment Loss GoodwillImpairmentLoss	0	USD
CY2011	axp	Goodwill Impairment Accumulated Loss GoodwillImpairmentAccumulatedLoss	0	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Goodwill Impairment Loss GoodwillImpairmentLoss	0	USD
CY2012	axp	Goodwill Impairment Accumulated Loss GoodwillImpairmentAccumulatedLoss	0	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents	568000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	3181000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Assets DerivativeAssets	593000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Remaining Other Assets RemainingOtherAssets	1665000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Remaining Other Assets RemainingOtherAssets	1582000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Assets DerivativeAssets	915000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	3172000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents	584000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Prepaid Expense Current And Noncurrent PrepaidExpenseCurrentAndNoncurrent	1960000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Prepaid Expense Current And Noncurrent PrepaidExpenseCurrentAndNoncurrent	2378000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposits100000 Or More Domestic TimeDeposits100000OrMoreDomestic	475000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposits100000 Or More Foreign TimeDeposits100000OrMoreForeign	1000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposits100000 Or More TimeDeposits100000OrMore	476000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposits100000 Or More Domestic TimeDeposits100000OrMoreDomestic	580000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Liabilities Other LiabilitiesOther	5604000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Gross FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross	1666000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization	673000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Gross FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross	1668000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization	519000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Net FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet	1149000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Net FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet	993000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	2639000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Goodwill Acquired During Period GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod	559000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Goodwill Written Off Related To Sale Of Business Unit GoodwillWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit	-1000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Goodwill Translation And Purchase Accounting Adjustments GoodwillTranslationAndPurchaseAccountingAdjustments	-25000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Goodwill Acquired During Period GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod	1000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Goodwill Written Off Related To Sale Of Business Unit GoodwillWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit	-3000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Goodwill Translation And Purchase Accounting Adjustments GoodwillTranslationAndPurchaseAccountingAdjustments	11000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense Next Twelve Months FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseNextTwelveMonths	200000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense Year Two FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearTwo	170000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense Year Three FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearThree	151000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense Year Four FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFour	126000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense Year Five FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFive	75000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposit Maturities Year Two TimeDepositMaturitiesYearTwo	2613000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Interest Bearing Deposit Liabilities Domestic InterestBearingDepositLiabilitiesDomestic	39649000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Noninterest Bearing Deposit Liabilities Domestic NoninterestBearingDepositLiabilitiesDomestic	10000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Interest Bearing Deposit Liabilities Domestic InterestBearingDepositLiabilitiesDomestic	37271000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Noninterest Bearing Deposit Liabilities Domestic NoninterestBearingDepositLiabilitiesDomestic	4000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Interest Bearing Deposit Liabilities Foreign InterestBearingDepositLiabilitiesForeign	135000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Noninterest Bearing Deposit Liabilities Foreign NoninterestBearingDepositLiabilitiesForeign	9000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Interest Bearing Deposit Liabilities Foreign InterestBearingDepositLiabilitiesForeign	612000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Noninterest Bearing Deposit Liabilities Foreign NoninterestBearingDepositLiabilitiesForeign	11000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Interest Bearing Domestic Deposit Savings InterestBearingDomesticDepositSavings	18713000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Interest Bearing Domestic Deposit Certificates Of Deposits InterestBearingDomesticDepositCertificatesOfDeposits	725000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Third Party Certificates Of Deposit ThirdPartyCertificatesOfDeposit	8851000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Third Party Sweep Accounts ThirdPartySweepAccounts	11360000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Interest Bearing Domestic Deposit Other Time Deposit InterestBearingDomesticDepositOtherTimeDeposit	154000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Interest Bearing Domestic Deposit Savings InterestBearingDomesticDepositSavings	14649000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Interest Bearing Domestic Deposit Certificates Of Deposits InterestBearingDomesticDepositCertificatesOfDeposits	893000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Third Party Certificates Of Deposit ThirdPartyCertificatesOfDeposit	10781000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Third Party Sweep Accounts ThirdPartySweepAccounts	10948000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Interest Bearing Domestic Deposit Other Time Deposit InterestBearingDomesticDepositOtherTimeDeposit	627000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense	106000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposit Maturities Year One TimeDepositMaturitiesYearOne	4959000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposit Maturities Year Three TimeDepositMaturitiesYearThree	725000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposit Maturities Year Four TimeDepositMaturitiesYearFour	739000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposit Maturities Year Five TimeDepositMaturitiesYearFive	351000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposit Maturities After Year Five TimeDepositMaturitiesAfterYearFive	190000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Time Deposits TimeDeposits	9577000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense	112000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Long Term Debt Gross LongTermDebtGross	59299000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Debt Instrument Unamortized Discount Premium Net DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet	17000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Long Term Impact Debt Due To Fair Value Hedge Accounting LongTermImpactDebtDueToFairValueHedgeAccounting	780000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Long Term Debt Impact Due To Debt Exchange LongTermDebtImpactDueToDebtExchange	977000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal In Next Twelve Months LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths	11665000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal In Year Two LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo	15001000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal In Year Three LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree	12130000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal In Year Four LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour	6101000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal In Year Five LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive	7223000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal After Year Five LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalAfterYearFive	7179000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Interest Paid InterestPaid	2400000000	USD
CY2012	axp	Number Of Months Prior To Trigger Determination Date Decline In Tangible Common Equity NumberOfMonthsPriorToTriggerDeterminationDateDeclineInTangibleCommonEquity	18
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity	7500000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Line Of Credit Facility Remaining Borrowing Capacity LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity	3000000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Line Of Credit Facility Remaining Borrowing Capacity LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity	2900000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Line Of Credit Facility Commitment Fee Amount LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeeAmount	48100000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Line Of Credit Facility Commitment Fee Amount LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeeAmount	22200000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Line Of Credit Facility Remaining Borrowing Capacity Supporting Commercial Paper Borrowings LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacitySupportingCommercialPaperBorrowings	3000000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Line Of Credit Facility Remaining Borrowing Capacity Supporting Commercial Paper Borrowings LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacitySupportingCommercialPaperBorrowings	2900000000	USD
CY2014Q4	axp	Line Of Credit Facility Expiring Amount LineOfCreditFacilityExpiringAmount	2100000000	USD
CY2016Q4	axp	Line Of Credit Facility Expiring Amount LineOfCreditFacilityExpiringAmount	2600000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Line Of Credit Facility Financial Convenants Consolidated Tangible Net Worth Required LineOfCreditFacilityFinancialConvenantsConsolidatedTangibleNetWorthRequired	4100000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Convertible Subordinated Debentures Redeemable Percentage Of Principal ConvertibleSubordinatedDebenturesRedeemablePercentageOfPrincipal	1.00	pure
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity	7700000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Percentage Decline In Tangible Common Equity PercentageDeclineInTangibleCommonEquity	less than 4 percent
CY2012Q4	axp	Percentage Of Decline In Tangible Common Equity PercentageOfDeclineInTangibleCommonEquity	0.10	pure
CY2012	axp	Debt Instrument Description Of Variable Rate DebtInstrumentDescriptionOfVariableRate	3-month LIBOR + 2.23%
CY2015Q4	axp	Line Of Credit Facility Expiring Amount LineOfCreditFacilityExpiringAmount	3000000000	USD
CY2012	axp	Date Interest Rate Automatically Extended Convertible Subordinated Debt DateInterestRateAutomaticallyExtendedConvertibleSubordinatedDebt	2066-09-01
CY2012Q4	axp	Combined Earnings And Fixed Charges To Fixed Charges Ratio Required CombinedEarningsAndFixedChargesToFixedChargesRatioRequired	0.0125	pure
CY2012Q4	axp	Membership Rewards Liabilities MembershipRewardsLiabilities	5832000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Employees Related Liabilities EmployeesRelatedLiabilities	2224000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Book Overdraft Balances BookOverdraftBalances	532000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Rebate Accruals RebateAccruals	2079000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Membership Rewards Liabilities MembershipRewardsLiabilities	5066000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Employees Related Liabilities EmployeesRelatedLiabilities	2192000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Book Overdraft Balances BookOverdraftBalances	2178000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Rebate Accruals RebateAccruals	1866000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Deferred Charge Card Fees Net DeferredChargeCardFeesNet	1063000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Liabilities Other LiabilitiesOther	4792000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Deferred Charge Card And Other Fees DeferredChargeCardAndOtherFees	1566000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Deferred Direct Acquisition Costs DeferredDirectAcquisitionCosts	-154000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Reserves For Membership Cancellations ReservesForMembershipCancellations	-126000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Deferred Charge Card And Other Fees DeferredChargeCardAndOtherFees	1228000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Deferred Direct Acquisition Costs DeferredDirectAcquisitionCosts	-75000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Reserves For Membership Cancellations ReservesForMembershipCancellations	-90000000	USD
CY2012	axp	Net Reduction To Interest Expense Long Term Debt And Other Related To Net Settlements On Fair Value Hedges NetReductionToInterestExpenseLongTermDebtAndOtherRelatedToNetSettlementsOnFairValueHedges	491000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Net Reduction To Interest Expense Long Term Debt And Other Related To Net Settlements On Fair Value Hedges NetReductionToInterestExpenseLongTermDebtAndOtherRelatedToNetSettlementsOnFairValueHedges	503000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Net Reduction To Interest Expense Long Term Debt And Other Related To Net Settlements On Fair Value Hedges NetReductionToInterestExpenseLongTermDebtAndOtherRelatedToNetSettlementsOnFairValueHedges	522000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss To Be Reclassified Within Twelve Months CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonths	0	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Shares Held In Equity Investment SharesHeldInEquityInvestment	415900000	shares
CY2011Q4	axp	Shares Held In Equity Investment SharesHeldInEquityInvestment	605400000	shares
CY2010	us-gaap	Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Recognized In Income Net DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeNet	87000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Recognized In Income Net DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeNet	-56000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Recognized In Income Net DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeNet	196000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Guarantees Indemnifications And Warranties Policies GuaranteesIndemnificationsAndWarrantiesPolicies	<p style='margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:6pt'><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:0px;">The Company provides </font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">cardmember</font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;"> protection plans that cover losses associated with purchased products, as well as certain other guarantees in the ordinary course of business which are within the scope of GAAP governing the account</font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">ing for guarantees. </font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">For the Company, guarantees primarily consist of card and travel protection programs, including:</font></p><p style='margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt'></p><ul><li><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">Return Protection — refunds the price of eligible purchases made with the card where the merchant will not accept the return for up to 90 days from the date of purchase;</font><p> </p></li><li><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">Account Protection — provides account protection in the event that a </font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">cardmember</font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;"> is unable to make payments on the account due to unforeseen hardship;</font><p> </p></li><li><font style="font-family:Times;font-size:10pt;">Merchant Protection — protects </font><font style="font-family:Times;font-size:10pt;">cardmembers</font><font style="font-family:Times;font-size:10pt;"> primarily against non-delivery of goods and services, usually in the event of bankruptcy or liquidation of a merchant. In the event that a dispute is resolved in the </font><font style="font-family:Times;font-size:10pt;">cardmember's</font><font style="font-family:Times;font-size:10pt;"> favor, the Company will generally credit the </font><font style="font-family:Times;font-size:10pt;">cardmember</font><font style="font-family:Times;font-size:10pt;"> account for the amount of the purchase and will seek recovery from the merchant. If the Company is unable to collect the amount from the merchant, it will bear the loss for the amount credited to the </font><font style="font-family:Times;font-size:10pt;">cardmember</font><font style="font-family:Times;font-size:10pt;">. The Company mitigates this risk by withholding settlement from the merchant or obtaining deposits and other guarantees from merchants considered higher risk due to various factors. The amounts being held by the Company are not significant when compared to the maximum potential amount of undiscounted future payments; and,</font><p> </p></li><li><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">Credit Card Registry — cancels and requests replacement of lost or stolen cards, and provides for fraud liability coverage.</font></li></ul><p style='margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt'> </p><p style='margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt'><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:0px;">In relation to its maximum </font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">potential</font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;"> undiscounted future payments as </font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">shown</font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;"> in the table that follows, to date the Company has not experienced any significant losses related to guarantees. The Company's initial recognition of guarantees is at fair value, which has been determined in accordance with GAAP governing fair value measurement. In addition, the Company establishes reserves when </font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">a </font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">loss</font><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;"> is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. </font></p><p style='margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt'> </p>
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Guarantee Obligations Maximum Exposure GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure	45000000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Guarantee Obligations Maximum Exposure GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure	52000000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Guarantee Obligations Current Carrying Value GuaranteeObligationsCurrentCarryingValue	186000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Guarantee Obligations Current Carrying Value GuaranteeObligationsCurrentCarryingValue	194000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Capital Shares Reserved For Future Issuance CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance	80000000	shares
CY2012Q4	axp	Common Shares Remaining Under Share Repurchase Authorizations CommonSharesRemainingUnderShareRepurchaseAuthorizations	83000000	shares
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Number Of Shares Held TreasuryStockNumberOfSharesHeld	3900000	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Number Of Shares Held TreasuryStockNumberOfSharesHeld	4200000	shares
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Number Of Shares Held TreasuryStockNumberOfSharesHeld	4700000	shares
CY2012	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares Acquired TreasuryStockSharesAcquired	69000000	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares Acquired TreasuryStockSharesAcquired	48000000	shares
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Carrying Basis TreasuryStockCarryingBasis	236000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Carrying Basis TreasuryStockCarryingBasis	217000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Carrying Basis TreasuryStockCarryingBasis	219000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Shares Authorized PreferredStockSharesAuthorized	20000000	shares
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Shares Issued PreferredStockSharesIssued	0	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Shares Issued PreferredStockSharesIssued	0	shares
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Shares Issued PreferredStockSharesIssued	0	shares
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Shares Outstanding PreferredStockSharesOutstanding	0	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Shares Outstanding PreferredStockSharesOutstanding	0	shares
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Shares Outstanding PreferredStockSharesOutstanding	0	shares
CY2012Q4	axp	Preferred Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Authorized PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShareAuthorized	1.66
CY2012Q1	axp	Common Share Repurchases Authorized CommonShareRepurchasesAuthorized	150000000	shares
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentTax	22000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTax	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTax	7000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTax	-18000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTax	-272000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTax	7000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Authorized CommonStockSharesAuthorized	3600000000	shares
CY2011Q4	axp	Common Stock Shares Issued And Outstanding CommonStockSharesIssuedAndOutstanding	1164000000	shares
CY2010Q4	axp	Common Stock Shares Issued And Outstanding CommonStockSharesIssuedAndOutstanding	1197000000	shares
CY2009Q4	axp	Common Stock Shares Issued And Outstanding CommonStockSharesIssuedAndOutstanding	1192000000	shares
CY2012	axp	Issuance Repurchases Of Common Shares IssuanceRepurchasesOfCommonShares	-69000000	shares
CY2011	axp	Issuance Repurchases Of Common Shares IssuanceRepurchasesOfCommonShares	-48000000	shares
CY2010	axp	Issuance Repurchases Of Common Shares IssuanceRepurchasesOfCommonShares	-14000000	shares
CY2012	axp	Common Stock Shares Other CommonStockSharesOther	10000000	shares
CY2011	axp	Common Stock Shares Other CommonStockSharesOther	15000000	shares
CY2010	axp	Common Stock Shares Other CommonStockSharesOther	19000000	shares
CY2012Q4	axp	Common Stock Shares Issued And Outstanding CommonStockSharesIssuedAndOutstanding	1105000000	shares
CY2010	axp	Other Comprehensive Income Net Investment Hedges Tax Effect OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetInvestmentHedgesTaxEffect	-396000000	USD
CY2012	axp	Other Comprehensive Income Net Investment Hedges Tax Effect OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetInvestmentHedgesTaxEffect	-176000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Other Comprehensive Income Net Investment Hedges Tax Effect OtherComprehensiveIncomeNetInvestmentHedgesTaxEffect	-14000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTax	-144000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTax	-617000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTax	91000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentTax	24000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentTax	-40000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTax	149000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesTax	3000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesTax	1000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesTax	11000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Restructuring And Related Cost Incurred Cost RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost	119000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Restructuring And Related Cost Incurred Cost RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost	96000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve Accrual Adjustment RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment	-27000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Net Restructuring And Related Cost Number Of Positions To Be Eliminated NetRestructuringAndRelatedCostNumberOfPositionsToBeEliminated	400	Positions
CY2012	us-gaap	Restructuring And Related Cost Incurred Cost RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost	403000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Restructuring And Related Cost Number Of Positions Eliminated RestructuringAndRelatedCostNumberOfPositionsEliminated	3200	Positions
CY2012	us-gaap	Restructuring And Related Cost Number Of Positions Eliminated RestructuringAndRelatedCostNumberOfPositionsEliminated	5400	Positions
CY2012	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve Accrual Adjustment RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment	-16000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve Accrual Adjustment RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment	-27000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve Settled With Cash RestructuringReserveSettledWithCash	-155000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve Translation Adjustment RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment	-11000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve RestructuringReserve	215000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve Settled With Cash RestructuringReserveSettledWithCash	-129000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve Translation Adjustment RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment	-5000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve RestructuringReserve	200000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve Settled With Cash RestructuringReserveSettledWithCash	-133000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve Translation Adjustment RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment	0	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve RestructuringReserve	470000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Restructuring And Related Cost Cost Incurred To Date RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate	738000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Accumulated Earnings To Be Permanently Reinvested Outside United States AccumulatedEarningsToBePermanentlyReinvestedOutsideUnitedStates	8500000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Taxes Paid Net IncomeTaxesPaidNet	1900000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Taxes Paid Net IncomeTaxesPaidNet	700000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Taxes Paid Net IncomeTaxesPaidNet	800000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential	2600000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties And Interest Accrued UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestAccrued	155000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties And Interest Accrued UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestAccrued	163000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties And Interest Expense UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestExpense	-8000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties And Interest Expense UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestExpense	-63000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties And Interest Expense UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestExpense	31000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Significant Change In Unrecognized Tax Benefits Is Reasonably Possible Quantify Impact Not Possible SignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleQuantifyImpactNotPossible	304000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Significant Change In Unrecognized Tax Benefits Is Reasonably Possible Amount Of Unrecorded Benefit SignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleAmountOfUnrecordedBenefit	971000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Significant Change In Unrecognized Tax Benefits Is Reasonably Possible Equity SignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleEquity	667000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Tax Adjustments Settlements And Unusual Provisions From Discontinued Operations TaxAdjustmentsSettlementsAndUnusualProvisionsFromDiscontinuedOperations	36000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate	452000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate	440000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate	476000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Current Federal Tax Expense Benefit CurrentFederalTaxExpenseBenefit	982000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Repatriation Of Foreign Earnings EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationRepatriationOfForeignEarnings	-0.044	pure
CY2012	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Repatriation Of Foreign Earnings EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationRepatriationOfForeignEarnings	-0.052	pure
CY2012	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Tax Settlements EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxSettlements	-0.002	pure
CY2012	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Other Adjustments EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustments	0.000	pure
CY2012	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.305	pure
CY2011	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Tax Exempt Income EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxExemptIncome	-0.015	pure
CY2011	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	0.026	pure
CY2011	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Tax Settlements EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxSettlements	-0.019	pure
CY2011	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Other Adjustments EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustments	-0.002	pure
CY2011	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.296	pure
CY2010	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Tax Exempt Income EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxExemptIncome	-0.019	pure
CY2010	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	0.027	pure
CY2010	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Repatriation Of Foreign Earnings EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationRepatriationOfForeignEarnings	-0.031	pure
CY2010	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Tax Settlements EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxSettlements	-0.013	pure
CY2010	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Other Adjustments EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustments	0.006	pure
CY2012	us-gaap	Current State And Local Tax Expense Benefit CurrentStateAndLocalTaxExpenseBenefit	189000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Current Foreign Tax Expense Benefit CurrentForeignTaxExpenseBenefit	445000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Current Income Tax Expense Benefit CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1616000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Current Federal Tax Expense Benefit CurrentFederalTaxExpenseBenefit	958000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Current State And Local Tax Expense Benefit CurrentStateAndLocalTaxExpenseBenefit	156000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Current Foreign Tax Expense Benefit CurrentForeignTaxExpenseBenefit	434000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Current Income Tax Expense Benefit CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1548000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Current Federal Tax Expense Benefit CurrentFederalTaxExpenseBenefit	532000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Current State And Local Tax Expense Benefit CurrentStateAndLocalTaxExpenseBenefit	110000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Current Foreign Tax Expense Benefit CurrentForeignTaxExpenseBenefit	508000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Current Income Tax Expense Benefit CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1150000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredFederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	359000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Deferred State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredStateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	39000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredForeignIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-45000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	353000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredFederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	464000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Deferred State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredStateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	68000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredForeignIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-23000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	509000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredFederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	782000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Deferred State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredStateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	78000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredForeignIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-103000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	757000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperations	1969000000	USD
CY2012	axp	Income Tax Expense Benefit Discontinued Operations IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitDiscontinuedOperations	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperations	2057000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Income Tax Expense Benefit Discontinued Operations IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitDiscontinuedOperations	-36000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperations	1907000000	USD
CY2010	axp	Income Tax Expense Benefit Discontinued Operations IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitDiscontinuedOperations	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	0.350	pure
CY2010	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	0.350	pure
CY2012	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Tax Exempt Income EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxExemptIncome	-0.016	pure
CY2012	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	0.025	pure
CY2010	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.320	pure
CY2012	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	0.350	pure
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccruals	3828000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Compensation And Benefits DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefits	761000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Other DeferredTaxAssetsOther	556000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Gross DeferredTaxAssetsGross	5145000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance	162000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net DeferredTaxAssetsNet	4983000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Tax Deferred Income DeferredTaxLiabilitiesTaxDeferredIncome	403000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities DeferredTaxLiabilities	2525000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccruals	3435000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Compensation And Benefits DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefits	760000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Other DeferredTaxAssetsOther	626000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Gross DeferredTaxAssetsGross	4821000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance	112000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net DeferredTaxAssetsNet	4709000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Tax Deferred Income DeferredTaxLiabilitiesTaxDeferredIncome	382000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities DeferredTaxLiabilities	1834000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Other DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOther	439000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Other DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOther	526000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Liabilities Net DeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNet	2458000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Liabilities Net DeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNet	2875000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Property Plant And Equipment DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipment	1218000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Property Plant And Equipment DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipment	1013000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Deferred Expense Capitalized Interest DeferredTaxLiabilitiesDeferredExpenseCapitalizedInterest	378000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Deferred Expense Capitalized Interest DeferredTaxLiabilitiesDeferredExpenseCapitalizedInterest	0	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Call Options And Warrants IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToCallOptionsAndWarrants	6000000	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Call Options And Warrants IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToCallOptionsAndWarrants	6000000	shares
CY2010	us-gaap	Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Call Options And Warrants IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToCallOptionsAndWarrants	7000000	shares
CY2010	axp	Net Income Attributable To Common Shareholders NetIncomeAttributableToCommonShareholders	4006000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Convertible Subordinated Debt ConvertibleSubordinatedDebt	750000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Convertible Subordinated Debt ConvertibleSubordinatedDebt	750000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Net Income Attributable To Common Shareholders NetIncomeAttributableToCommonShareholders	4877000000	USD
CY2012	axp	Net Income Attributable To Common Shareholders NetIncomeAttributableToCommonShareholders	4433000000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	1081000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	1377000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	1223000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Current Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions	182000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Current Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions	77000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Current Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions	51000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	64000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	247000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	403000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	-44000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	-457000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	-145000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Settlements With Taxing Authorities UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities	-138000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Settlements With Taxing Authorities UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities	-2000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Settlements With Taxing Authorities UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities	-25000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Reductions Resulting From Lapse Of Applicable Statute Of Limitations UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations	-37000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Reductions Resulting From Lapse Of Applicable Statute Of Limitations UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations	-19000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Reductions Resulting From Lapse Of Applicable Statute Of Limitations UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations	-6000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	1230000000	USD
CY2012	axp	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increase Foreign Currency Translations UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreaseForeignCurrencyTranslations	-2000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increase Foreign Currency Translations UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreaseForeignCurrencyTranslations	0	USD
CY2010	axp	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increase Foreign Currency Translations UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreaseForeignCurrencyTranslations	0	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Convertible Subordinated Debt ConvertibleSubordinatedDebt	750000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Nonvested Number ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber	11800000	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Nonvested Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue	33.69
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Shares Available For Grant ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant	40000000	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Shares Available For Grant ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant	38000000	shares
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Shares Available For Grant ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant	36000000	shares
CY2012	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Compensation Expense EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense	107000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Compensation Expense EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense	105000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Compensation Expense EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense	100000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber	31861000	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Nonvested Number ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber	13996000	shares
CY2012	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Grants In Period ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod	4270000	shares
CY2012	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vested In Period ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod	-5782000	shares
CY2012	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Forfeited In Period ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod	-684000	shares
CY2012	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vested In Period Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue	31.53
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Nonvested Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue	40.31
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber	42457000	shares
CY2012	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod	1205000	shares
CY2012	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Shares Stock Options Exercised StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised	-10429000	shares
CY2012	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Forfeitures In Period ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod	-280000	shares
CY2012	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Expirations In Period ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriod	-1092000	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice	41.63
CY2012	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice	49.23
CY2012	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercises In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice	35.28
CY2012	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Options Forfeitures In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice	34.55
CY2012	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Options Expirations In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice	54.05
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice	43.62
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested And Expected To Vest Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice	43.61
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested And Expected To Vest Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice	44.91
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested And Expected To Vest Outstanding Number ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingNumber	31792000	shares
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested And Expected To Vest Exercisable Number ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestExercisableNumber	27309000	shares
CY2012	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Forfeitures Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue	37.84
CY2012	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Grants In Period Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue	49.80
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Intrinsic Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue	444000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Options Exercisable Intrinsic Value1 SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1	346000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested And Expected To Vest Outstanding Aggregate Intrinsic Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingAggregateIntrinsicValue	443000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Options Outstanding Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term2 SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2	P4Y7M0D
CY2012	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Options Exercisable Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term1 SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1	P4Y1M0D
CY2012	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Options Vested And Expected To Vest Outstanding Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term1 SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1	P4Y7M0D
CY2012Q4	axp	Membership Rewards Expense After Tax MembershipRewardsExpenseAfterTax	212000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense	297000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense	301000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense	287000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost	326000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost	282000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost	347000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Target Plan Asset Allocations DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocations	1.00	pure
CY2011	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Target Plan Asset Allocations DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocations	1.00	pure
CY2012	axp	Co Brand Portfolio Account Percentage Of Worldwide Billed Business CoBrandPortfolioAccountPercentageOfWorldwideBilledBusiness	0.05	pure
CY2012	axp	Co Brand Portfolio Account Percentage Of Worldwide Cardmember Lending Receivables CoBrandPortfolioAccountPercentageOfWorldwideCardmemberLendingReceivables	0.15	pure
CY2012	us-gaap	Concentration Risk Credit Risk Financial Instrument Maximum Exposure ConcentrationRiskCreditRiskFinancialInstrumentMaximumExposure	141000000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Concentration Risk Credit Risk Financial Instrument Maximum Exposure ConcentrationRiskCreditRiskFinancialInstrumentMaximumExposure	142000000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Cardmember Reimbursements CardmemberReimbursements	153000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Cardmember Reimbursements After Tax CardmemberReimbursementsAfterTax	95000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	8141000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	929000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	637000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	0	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	637000000	USD
CY2012Q3	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1250000000	USD
CY2012Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	0	USD
CY2012	axp	Operating Leases Rent Expense Sublease OperatingLeasesRentExpenseSublease	22000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Litigation Settlement Gross LitigationSettlementGross	4050000000	USD
CY2011	axp	Concentration Risk Credit Risk Financial Instrument Cardmember Receivables And Loans Exposure ConcentrationRiskCreditRiskFinancialInstrumentCardmemberReceivablesAndLoansExposure	104000000000	USD
CY2012	axp	Concentration Risk Credit Risk Financial Instrument Cardmember Receivables And Loans Exposure ConcentrationRiskCreditRiskFinancialInstrumentCardmemberReceivablesAndLoansExposure	108000000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Tier One Risk Based Capital Required To Be Well Capitalized To Risk Weighted Assets TierOneRiskBasedCapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToRiskWeightedAssets	0.060	pure
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Tier One Risk Based Capital Required For Capital Adequacy To Risk Weighted Assets TierOneRiskBasedCapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToRiskWeightedAssets	0.040	pure
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Capital Required To Be Well Capitalized To Risk Weighted Assets CapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToRiskWeightedAssets	0.100	pure
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Capital Required For Capital Adequacy To Risk Weighted Assets CapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToRiskWeightedAssets	0.080	pure
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Tier One Leverage Capital Required To Be Well Capitalized To Average Assets TierOneLeverageCapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToAverageAssets	0.050	pure
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Tier One Leverage Capital Required For Capital Adequacy To Average Assets TierOneLeverageCapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToAverageAssets	0.040	pure
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Tier One Risk Based Capital Required To Be Well Capitalized To Risk Weighted Assets TierOneRiskBasedCapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToRiskWeightedAssets	0.060	pure
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Tier One Risk Based Capital Required For Capital Adequacy To Risk Weighted Assets TierOneRiskBasedCapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToRiskWeightedAssets	0.040	pure
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Capital Required To Be Well Capitalized To Risk Weighted Assets CapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToRiskWeightedAssets	0.100	pure
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Capital Required For Capital Adequacy To Risk Weighted Assets CapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToRiskWeightedAssets	0.080	pure
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Tier One Leverage Capital Required To Be Well Capitalized To Average Assets TierOneLeverageCapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToAverageAssets	0.050	pure
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Tier One Leverage Capital Required For Capital Adequacy To Average Assets TierOneLeverageCapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToAverageAssets	0.040	pure
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Amount Of Restricted Net Assets For Consolidated And Unconsolidated Subsidiaries AmountOfRestrictedNetAssetsForConsolidatedAndUnconsolidatedSubsidiaries	9400000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Membership Rewards Expense MembershipRewardsExpense	342000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Description Of Other Regulatory Limitations DescriptionOfOtherRegulatoryLimitations	Restricted Net Assets of Subsidiaries Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries are subject to restrictions on the transfer of net assets under debt agreements and regulatory requirements. These restrictions have not had any effect on the Company’s shareholder dividend policy and management does not anticipate any impact in the future. Procedures exist to transfer net assets between the Company and its subsidiaries, while ensuring compliance with the various contractual and regulatory constraints. As of December 31, 2012, the aggregate amount of net assets of subsidiaries that are restricted to be transferred to the Company was approximately $9.4 billion. Bank Holding Company Dividend Restrictions The Company is limited in its ability to pay dividends by the Federal Reserve which could prohibit a dividend that would be considered an unsafe or unsound banking practice. It is the policy of the Federal Reserve that bank holding companies generally should pay dividends on common stock only out of net income available to common shareholders generated over the past year, and only if prospective earnings retention is consistent with the organization’s current and expected future capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. Moreover, bank holding companies are required by statue to be a source of strength to their insured depository institution subsidiaries and should not maintain dividend levels that undermine their ability to do so. On an annual basis, the Company is required to develop and maintain a capital plan, which includes planned dividends over a two-year horizon, and to submit the capital plan to the Federal Reserve for approval. Banks’ Dividend Restrictions In the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Centurion Bank paid dividends from retained earnings to its parent of $2.0 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively, and FSB paid dividends from retained earnings to its parent of $1.5 billion and $0.6 billion, respectively. The Banks are subject to statutory and regulatory limitations on their ability to pay dividends. The total amount of dividends which may be paid at any date, subject to supervisory considerations of the Banks’ regulators, is generally limited to the retained earnings of the respective bank. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Banks’ retained earnings, in the aggregate, available for the payment of dividends were $4.7 billion and $4.6 billion, respectively. In determining the dividends to pay its parent, the Banks must also consider the effects on applicable risk-based capital and leverage ratio requirements, as well as policy statements of the federal regulatory agencies. In addition, the Banks’ banking regulators have authority to limit or prohibit the payment of a dividend by the Banks under a number of circumstances, including, if, in the banking regulator’s opinion, payment of a dividend would constitute an unsafe or unsound banking practice in light of the financial condition of the banking organization.
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Loss Contingency Range Of Possible Loss Minimum LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossMinimum	0	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Loss Contingency Range Of Possible Loss Maximum LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossMaximum	430000000	USD
CY2012	axp	Contingent Obligations Co Brand Partners ContingentObligationsCoBrandPartners	4100000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Lease And Rental Expense LeaseAndRentalExpense	305000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Lease And Rental Expense LeaseAndRentalExpense	280000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Lease And Rental Expense LeaseAndRentalExpense	250000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Current CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent	10000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Two Years CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears	10000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Three Years CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears	3000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Four Years CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears	3000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Five Years CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears	3000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Thereafter CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter	11000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Current OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent	275000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Two Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears	240000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Three Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears	199000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Four Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears	153000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Five Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears	131000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Thereafter OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter	1005000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue	2003000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Amount Of Dilutive Securities Stock Options And Restrictive Stock Units AmountOfDilutiveSecuritiesStockOptionsAndRestrictiveStockUnits	7000000	USD
CY2012Q3	us-gaap	Amount Of Dilutive Securities Stock Options And Restrictive Stock Units AmountOfDilutiveSecuritiesStockOptionsAndRestrictiveStockUnits	14000000	USD
CY2012Q2	us-gaap	Amount Of Dilutive Securities Stock Options And Restrictive Stock Units AmountOfDilutiveSecuritiesStockOptionsAndRestrictiveStockUnits	14000000	USD
CY2012Q1	us-gaap	Amount Of Dilutive Securities Stock Options And Restrictive Stock Units AmountOfDilutiveSecuritiesStockOptionsAndRestrictiveStockUnits	14000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Amount Of Dilutive Securities Stock Options And Restrictive Stock Units AmountOfDilutiveSecuritiesStockOptionsAndRestrictiveStockUnits	14000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Amount Of Dilutive Securities Stock Options And Restrictive Stock Units AmountOfDilutiveSecuritiesStockOptionsAndRestrictiveStockUnits	15000000	USD
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Amount Of Dilutive Securities Stock Options And Restrictive Stock Units AmountOfDilutiveSecuritiesStockOptionsAndRestrictiveStockUnits	15000000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Amount Of Dilutive Securities Stock Options And Restrictive Stock Units AmountOfDilutiveSecuritiesStockOptionsAndRestrictiveStockUnits	14000000	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Restructuring And Related Cost Incurred Gross RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredGross	400000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Nondeductible Expense Restructuring Charges IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseRestructuringCharges	287000000	USD
CY2012Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	1250000000	USD
CY2012Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	1870000000	USD
CY2012Q3	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	7862000000	USD
CY2012Q2	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	7965000000	USD
CY2012Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	1879000000	USD
CY2012Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	1339000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	1.03
CY2012Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	0	USD
CY2012Q2	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1339000000	USD
CY2012Q1	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1256000000	USD
CY2012Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	0	USD
CY2012Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	1256000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1.04
CY2012Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2012Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	1773000000	USD
CY2012Q1	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	7614000000	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	7742000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	1748000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	1192000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	0	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1192000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1235000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	0	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	1235000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	1711000000	USD
CY2011Q3	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	7571000000	USD
CY2011Q2	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	7618000000	USD
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	1765000000	USD
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	1295000000	USD
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	36000000	USD
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1331000000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1177000000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	0	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	1177000000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	1732000000	USD
CY2011Q1	axp	Total Revenues Net Of Interest Expense TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense	7031000000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	0.98
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.98
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	0.97
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	0.97
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.18
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.18
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.10
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0.03
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	1.07
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1.11
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0.03
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	1.08
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	1.04
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.03
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.18
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.18
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.01
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	1.01
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1.02
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	1.02
CY2012Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	1.07
CY2012Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2012Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1.07
CY2012Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	1.07
CY2012Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.07
CY2012Q1	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.20
CY2012Q2	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.20
CY2012Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.15
CY2012Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2012Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	1.15
CY2012Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1.16
CY2012Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2012Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	1.16
CY2012Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	1.10
CY2012Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2012Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1.10
CY2012Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	1.09
CY2012Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2012Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.09
CY2012Q3	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.20
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.20
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	0.56
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	0.56
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.57
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	0.57
CY2012Q4	axp	Common Share Closing Price High During Period CommonShareClosingPriceHighDuringPeriod	59.40	USD
CY2012Q4	axp	Common Share Closing Price Low During Period CommonShareClosingPriceLowDuringPeriod	53.02	USD
CY2012Q3	axp	Common Share Closing Price Low During Period CommonShareClosingPriceLowDuringPeriod	54.35	USD
CY2012Q3	axp	Common Share Closing Price High During Period CommonShareClosingPriceHighDuringPeriod	59.73	USD
CY2012Q2	axp	Common Share Closing Price High During Period CommonShareClosingPriceHighDuringPeriod	61.42	USD
CY2012Q2	axp	Common Share Closing Price Low During Period CommonShareClosingPriceLowDuringPeriod	53.18	USD
CY2012Q1	axp	Common Share Closing Price Low During Period CommonShareClosingPriceLowDuringPeriod	47.40	USD
CY2012Q1	axp	Common Share Closing Price High During Period CommonShareClosingPriceHighDuringPeriod	59.26	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Common Share Closing Price High During Period CommonShareClosingPriceHighDuringPeriod	52.35	USD
CY2011Q4	axp	Common Share Closing Price Low During Period CommonShareClosingPriceLowDuringPeriod	41.30	USD
CY2011Q3	axp	Common Share Closing Price Low During Period CommonShareClosingPriceLowDuringPeriod	42.03	USD
CY2011Q3	axp	Common Share Closing Price High During Period CommonShareClosingPriceHighDuringPeriod	53.80	USD
CY2011Q2	axp	Common Share Closing Price High During Period CommonShareClosingPriceHighDuringPeriod	51.97	USD
CY2011Q2	axp	Common Share Closing Price Low During Period CommonShareClosingPriceLowDuringPeriod	45.10	USD
CY2011Q1	axp	Common Share Closing Price Low During Period CommonShareClosingPriceLowDuringPeriod	42.19	USD
CY2011Q1	axp	Common Share Closing Price High During Period CommonShareClosingPriceHighDuringPeriod	46.93	USD

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$AXP
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2012 Q4 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000119312513070554 Filed on February 22, 2013

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$AXP AMERICAN EXPRESS CO Stock $axp

2012 Q4 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000119312513070554 Filed on February 22, 2013

Income Statement

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$AXP
AMERICAN EXPRESS CO Stock $axp